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Forget clunky VPN routers - Jumpbox pocket-sized tool promises encrypted remote access in secondsVPNs are fragile, says Remote.It - plug-and-play approach can fix thatJumpbox delivers centralized remote access without exposing devices to the public internetSaaS network firm Remote.It has introduced a new hardware-based alternative to traditional business VPN tools.Developed in collaboration with IoT connectivity firm Embedded Works, Jumpbox aims to reduce reliance on VPNs by offering plug-and-play remote access without the need for manual network configuration.“VPNs are fragile and limited," noted Remote.It CEO Ryo Koyama, "each endpoint can only be connected to one VPN at a time (or you have to embed a series of VPNs so multiple networks can communicate). But that makes the whole network even more dependent on a series of configurations being correct and updated.”Challenging conventional VPNsKoyama argues Jumpbox offers a more stable and centralized alternative, allowing administrators to monitor and manage multiple networks simultaneously.“The Jumpbox is designed as an always there connection that doesn't have the same weak points VPNs have," he claimed. "With Jumpbox an admin could be monitoring, updating, troubleshooting multiple network connections at the same time,"Despite this claim, the broader market has not fully abandoned VPNs, with many businesses investing in the best VPN router for added control and flexibility.Remote.It’s approach hinges on replacing these with a zero-configuration setup that works out of the box, featuring 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 1 HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack, all powered by a 1.8 GHz CPU and support for Wi-Fi 6, 5G, Bluetooth, Starlink and a 64GB microSD.The Jumpbox comes pre-loaded with Remote.It’s software and offers encrypted access via cellular networks, making it particularly appealing to companies managing devices at dispersed sites.While Remote.It has not explicitly branded the Jumpbox as a ZTNA solution, it does offer centralized control, encrypted tunnels, and out-of-band management capabilities like many similar services, as well as the ability to access devices without exposing them to the public internet, an important principle in Zero Trust frameworks.“There is a vast number of Internet and IoT connected devices that don't have any remote management systems," noted Andy Do, President of Embedded Works, "and for those that do, it is usually very costly to purchase an annual license per device.”This device, currently available on Amazon for $99.99, comes with a one-year Remote.It Business Plan and also offers unlimited device access and technical support.You might also likeThese are the best firewalls around todayAlso take a look at the best endpoint protection software aroundThis tiny USB flash drive comes with a feature every storage device vendor should offer: a fingerprint reader

J Allard, a former Microsoft executive and the mind behind the Zune, is leading a new team at Amazon, CNBC reports. Allard is officially the vice president of Amazon's ZeroOne, which, based on at least one Amazon job listing, is "a special projects team dedicated to inventing breakthrough consumer product categories."

What ZeroOne is actually working on remains a bit mysterious, but CNBC was able to find another listing for a "Senior Applied Scientist" role that suggests the team will be "conceiving, designing, and bringing to market computer vision techniques for a new smart-home product." Computer vision is the umbrella term for technologies that allow computer systems to "understand" images and video — for example, the ability for a Ring Video Doorbell to identify when a package is on your door step.

Depending on your taste in MP3 players, Allard's role in the creation of the Microsoft Zune could justifiably give you pause. Microsoft's failed MP3 player looked distinct, but was no match for the popularity of the iPod. The Zune was one of several interesting, if unsuccessful projects Allard led at Microsoft, including the Microsoft Kin, and the Courier, a book-style tablet that was later reimagined as the Surface Neo. Allard also co-created the original Xbox, arguably his biggest claim to fame at the company.

ZeroOne will exist inside Amazon's larger devices and services division, which is led by Panos Panay, another Microsoft expat. Panay joined Amazon to lead the division in 2023, after several years overseeing the development of Surface hardware and Windows 11 at Microsoft. Since Panay joined the company, Amazon has launched a new lineup of Kindles and introduced Alexa+, its integration of generative AI into the well-known voice assistant. Hiring both Allard and Panay suggests Amazon plans to lean even harder into product development going forward.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-zunes-creator-is-leading-a-secretive-team-at-amazon-194136949.html?src=rss

Under new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany could impose a new 10 percent tax on major online platforms such as Google and Facebook. Reuters reported that political factions in the country struck a deal earlier this year to pursue these fees for digital service companies.

"These corporations do billions in business in Germany with extremely high profit margins and benefit enormously from the country’s media and cultural output as well as its infrastructure — but they pay hardly any taxes, invest too little, and give far too little back to society," Germany's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer said of the draft rule during an interview with the magazine Stern.

Other nations around the world have also explored and enacted taxes on online revenue generated by the largest internet tech companies. Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, India, Austria and Canada have similar legislation to the draft rule Germany's culture minister is proposing, according to Reuters.

If the tax is passed, Germany could see retaliation from President Donald Trump's administration. Trump had said in February that he would seek tariffs on nations that impose a digital service tax on US tech businesses.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/germany-is-considering-a-10-percent-digital-service-tax-on-us-tech-giants-195705330.html?src=rss